First, with reports of Brian Urlacher possibly hitting the Free Agent market, do you see him as someone the Bills would bring in to add veteran depth and leadership at ILB? Also, if the Bills were to add a WR in free agency, who would be most likely?

Finally, could we possibly see a similar situation to that of Washington last offseason and take two QBs in the draft? In my opinion, the chances are in your favor in that situation.

Thanks,
Korey
Kenmore, NY

CB: Urlacher is on the decline. Not the same player. So no I don’t see him here. WR is a position that has limited top flight talent, so the guys at the top will be looking for big money. I don’t know that they can commit more big $$ at the position after handing out a big contract to Stevie last offseason.

I think affordable options that fit the mold of the big outside receiver that Buddy Nix is looking for are Braylon Edwards and Jerome Simpson.

2 – Hi Chris,

There continues to be serious concern regarding new contract negotiations with Andy Levitre and Jairus Byrd. Could you please update me with whatever progress is being made and how realistic is it that those two players will be on the roster in the fall.
Go Bills,
Richard
Los Angeles

CB: I respect the concern. We know that Bills President and CEO Russ Brandon and Senior VP of Football Administration Jim Overdorf met with the agents for both Andy Levitre and Jairus Byrd.

We’re about a week and a half away from the opening of free agency. Plus the new rule this year allows other clubs to talk to the agents of free agents from other clubs beginning March 9th, to open a dialogue on a possible contract. Only the team that had the player on their roster the previous season could sign said player however, prior to March 12th. The franchise tag is no longer an option effective at 4 pm on Monday.

I like both Levitre and Byrd as players, but if Levitre is asking for the moon I don’t see him back in a Bills uniform. As for Byrd I think if necessary the Bills would make use of the franchise tag at $6.79M. We’ll know by Monday afternoon for sure.

3 – Chris,

Is there any possibility of the Bills looking at Ryan Mallett from the Patriots? Seems like he was highly rated coming into the draft and slipped to the Patriots, you would have to think he’s learned a thing or 2 from backing up Brady the last 2 years. Of course the Patriots would have to be willing to give him to an intra division rival, if they even look at the Bills as that!

-Dan G in West Palm Beach

CB: The only way I see this as a remote possibility is if Matt Cassel is released by the Chiefs and signs back with New England where he began his career. That would make Mallett expendable, but even then I can’t see New England sending a player with potential to a division rival particularly at the quarterback position.

CB: I believe both of those offensive tackles are in the right area in terms of value. Lane Johnson is a rare athlete and Fisher has NFL feet and strength right now. Glenn did play some guard in college, but I think if a quarterback they like is off the board when they’re on the clock at eight that they’ll go with the best defensive player on the board.

CB: I think the two are mutually exclusive. Kelsay’s retirement I don’t think would’ve had much bearing on whether they feel they need to add a pass rusher at OLB. What does have a bearing on it is where they feel that Mark Anderson fits. Knowing Buffalo’s defense is going to be a multiple front scheme is he a DE and OLB or just a DE? I would think they see him as a stand-up rusher in a 3-4 look. Now they could probably use another one in light of their deficiency at the position in general.

And as I said in the above response if there isn’t a quarterback there at eight that they like I think they’ll go with the best defensive player on the board. That could very well be a pass rusher.

]]>Chris BrownJets’ Wilkerson, Edwards limitedhttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2012/12/27/jets-wilkerson-edwards-limited/
Thu, 27 Dec 2012 21:14:17 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=27522]]>They were non-participants Wednesday, but DL Muhammad Wilkerson and WR Braylon Edwards were back on the practice field for the Jets Thursday.

DL Muhammad Wilkerson, who is trying to return from a concussion and a knee injury, got back on the practice field as did WR Braylon Edwards (knee/hamstring). Both were limited. Here’s a full list of the Jets’ limited participants in practice.

That according to the Newark Star-Ledger. Cotchery re-aggravated his hamstring injury on Monday night in the loss to the Dolphins and with the short week he has not practiced at all this week.

WR Brad Smith (quad) has also not practiced this week leaving his status for Sunday in doubt as well.

If both cannot go, WR David Clowney would start opposite Braylon Edwards, with TE Dustin Keller expected to line up as the third WR in their 3 wide sets.

]]>Chris BrownMangini on Edwards tradehttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2009/10/07/mangini-on-edwards-trade/
Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:39:30 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=5234]]>Browns head coach Eric Mangini just spoke to the Buffalo media on his weekly conference call and gave his thoughts on why Cleveland pulled the trigger on a Braylon Edwards trade with the Jets this morning.

“I thought this was a chance for a fresh start for Braylon and I thought it was good for us both short term and long term,” said Mangini. “We got a slot receiver in Chansi Stuckey and he’s developed and was a starter prior to us acquiring him. I know him well. He’s got good hands and quickness and a smart guy. And he’s a young guy that can continue to develop. Jason Trusnik gives us depth at linebacker and helps us on special teams. With the draft picks that will obviously help us in the future. We thought this was a good opportunity.”

I asked Mangini how much the emergence of rookie WR Mohammed Massaquoi, especially this past week (8 catches, 148 yards), might have made the trade easier for the Browns to make. He responded as follows.

“Mohammed has been doing good things throughout the preseason and regular season,” said Mangini. “He just hasn’t gotten a lot of balls and a lot of opportunities and last week when he did I was really pleased with that. We have Brian Robiskie as well and he didn’t get in the first three games, but was in the last one mostly on special teams. I’m excited to see what he can do.”

Massaquoi is the most likely candidate to emerge as the team’s number one WR, with fellow rookie Robiskie and vet Mike Furrey fighting for the number two role and Chansi Stuckey the likely slot option. Special teams ace Josh Cribbs figures to be a factor as well.

]]>Chris BrownJets get Braylon Edwards from Brownshttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2009/10/07/jets-get-braylon-edwards-from-browns/
Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:51:33 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=5227]]>Well the Bills won’t face Braylon Edwards this week when they host the Browns because according to ESPN, the big wide receiver has been traded to the Jets, whom the Bills will face the following week on the road.

According to ESPN the Browns are getting special teams player Jason Trusnik from the Jets as well as WR Chansi Stuckey along with 3rd and 5th round draft picks in 2010. Edwards has the potential to complete the Jets offense which now has an impressive set of passing weapons in Edwards, Cotchery and TE Dustin Keller. With Jones and Washington in the backfield and a solid offensive line, it could very soon be a premium offense if Mark Sanchez’s development is on the fast track.

Edwards could be in hot water with respect to the league’s personal conduct policy, which states in part that…

“It is not enough simply to avoid being found guilty of a crime. Instead, as an employee of the NFL or a member club, you are held to a higher standard and expected to conduct yourself in a way that is responsible, promotes the values upon which the League is based, and is lawful.”

First time offenders usually do not received disciplinary action, but Edwards might be considered a repeat offender based on his excessive speeding, for which he was forced to pay a fine and perform 30 hours of community service. Dude was doing 120 mph on the interstate.

So we’ll have to wait and see if this has any impact on Edwards’ status for Sunday’s game with the Bills. The Browns put up almost 400 yards of offense last week against the Bengals, but it was no thanks to Edwards who did not have a catch in the Browns’ overtime loss.

]]>Chris BrownBrowns’ Braylon Edwards accused of assaulthttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2009/10/05/browns-braylon-edwards-accused-of-assault/
Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:17:59 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=5215]]>According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Browns WR Braylon Edwards has been accused of assault after an alleged altercation outside a Cleveland nightclub in the wee hours of this morning.

The Plain Dealer reports that police broke up the argument, which reportedly left the accuser with a black eye and a cut that he says was a result of Edwards punching him. No word at this point as to whether this will affect his availability for Sunday’s game against the Bills, or whether he could face any disciplinary action from the team. But Browns head coach Eric Mangini is known for running a pretty tight ship.